H.R. 3096 (110th): Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2007

Introduced:
Jul 19, 2007 (110th Congress, 2007–2009)
Sponsor:
Rep. Christopher “Chris” Smith [R-NJ4]
Status:
Died (Passed House)
See Instead:
This bill was re-introduced as H.R. 1969 (111th) on Apr 02, 2009.

The bill’s title was written by the bill’s sponsor. H.R. stands for House of Representatives bill.

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Status

This bill was introduced in a previous session of Congress and was passed by the House on September 18, 2007 but was never passed by the Senate.

Progress
Introduced Jul 19, 2007
Referred to Committee Jul 19, 2007
Reported by Committee Jul 31, 2007
Passed House Sep 18, 2007
Votes

House Vote on Passage
Sep 18, 2007 3:28 p.m.
Passed 414/3

Cosponsors
12 cosponsors (7R, 5D) (show)
Committees

House Foreign Affairs

Senate Foreign Relations

The committee chair determines whether a bill will move past the committee stage.

Full Title

To promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam.

Summary

No summaries available.

Text

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Last updated Sep 19, 2007.
20 pages

Primary Source

View on THOMAS (The Library of Congress)

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Citation

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GovTrack’s Bill Summary

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Library of Congress Summary

The summary below was written by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan division of the Library of Congress.

9/18/2007.
Title I - Prohibition on Nonhumanitarian Assistance to the Government of Vietnam
Section 101 -
Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam for FY2008 in excess of FY2007 levels unless the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress respecting:
(1) the release of political and religious prisoners;
(2) the right of religious freedom, including the return of church properties;
(3) the rights of ethnic minorities; and
(4) access to U.S. refugee programs by Vietnamese nationals.
Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam for subsequent fiscal years in excess of FY2007 levels unless the President certifies to Congress that in addition to such requirements:
(1) no government of Vietnam official, agency, or entity wholly or partly owned by the government of Vietnam was complicit in a severe form of trafficking in persons; or
(2) the government of Vietnam took all appropriate steps to end any such complicity and hold any official, agency, or entity accountable for such conduct.
Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition for reasons of national interest.
Title II - Assistance to Support Democracy in Vietnam
Section 201 -
Authorizes the President to provide assistance through nongovernmental organizations and the Human Rights Defenders Fund for the support of individuals and organizations to promote human rights in Vietnam. Authorizes FY2008-FY2009 appropriations.
Title III - United States Public Diplomacy
Section 301 -
States that it is U.S. policy to take necessary measures to overcome government of Vietnam jamming of Radio Free Asia. Authorizes FY2008-FY2009 appropriations for such activities.
Section 302 -
States that it is U.S. policy that educational and cultural exchange programs with Vietnam should promote progress toward freedom and democracy in Vietnam.
Title IV - United States Refugee Policy
Section 401 -
States that it is U.S. policy to offer refugee resettlement to Vietnam nationals (including members of the Montagnard ethnic minority groups) who are eligible for the Humanitarian Resettlement program, the Orderly Departure program, the Resettlement Opportunities for Vietnamese Returnees program, the Amerasian Homecoming Act of 1988, or any other U.S. refugee program, but who were deemed ineligible for reasons of administrative error or certain circumstances beyond their control.
Authorizes funds to be made available from FY2008-FY2010 Department of State refugee assistance for the protection and resettlement of Vietnamese refugees and asylum seekers, including Montagnards in Cambodia.
Title V - Annual Report on Progress Toward Freedom and Democracy in Vietnam
Section 501 -
Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to Congress respecting activities under this Act toward freedom and democracy in Vietnam.

House Republican Conference Summary

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No summary available.

House Democratic Caucus Summary

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The bill contains the following citations to other parts of U.S. law:

Slip Laws

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United States Code

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Statutes at Large

The United States Statutes at Large is the compilation of all laws enacted by Congress.

  • 114 Stat. 1470